CEDAR CITY, Utah-Monday, Southern Utah University and SUU athletic director Doug Knuth announced the hiring of Marie Tuite as deputy athletic director for external relations/chief operating officer.

Tuite will begin serving in this role as of March 1.

Tuite will oversee and manage the external side of the athletic department and provide leadership level support for all operations of the department.

Tuite has previously served with the NCAA, at California-Berkeley, Washington and at San José State. While working at the NCAA level, Tuite played an integral role in managing the NCAA gymnastics championships.

Tuite is a Central Michigan graduate, having starred in basketball and field hockey for the Chippewas. She is a 1990 inductee into the CMU Hall of Fame at Mt. Pleasant, Mich.